This long-running unadulterated funk and soul night takes place every Saturday night at Mint Lounge in the Northern Quarter and, in testament to its quality, always has a full house.
Billed by promoters as a ‘chronological history of soul’, its team of resident selectors will guide you through four decades of the very best soul, funk, disco and hip-hop with just a touch of smooth r&b.
This month sees Manchester party series WHP return for its 2022 season a little bit earlier than usual with a special joint live set from alternative, downtempo trip-hop stalwart Bonobo and shoegazing dream pop musician Caribou.
Running from 7-11pm on Friday 26 August, it’s just one of several August Bank Holiday weekend WHP events at Depot Mayfield.
One for the millenials and Y2k wannabes to enjoy alike, this poptastic Manchester club night delivers exactly what it says on the tin: non-stop chart hits from some of the biggest artists of the era.
90’s Baby Pop will go one step further, bringing the likes of AQUA, Eiffel 65, Los Del Rio, Heather Small and B*witched to Manchester AO Arena for a stand-out live show with lashings of nostalgia.
American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo will play Bowler’s as part of a new worldwide tour that sees the ‘Let Me Love You’ singer land in the UK next month.
His first performance in the UK since 2016, fans can expect to see him perform new music from his eighth album, ‘Self Explanatory’, as well as some of his biggest hits.
If you’re looking to discover some weird and wonderful underground bands, you can’t do much better than Manchester Psych Fest.
Spread across some of Manchester’s best indie venues like Gorilla, YES and Deaf Institute, uncover everything from the spoken word absurdism of Dry Cleaning to the devastating folk of Skullcrusher at this all-day event.
Watch a 16-piece orchestra perform a special rendition of American artist Frank Ocean’s two biggest studio albums, Blonde and Orange.
Taking place at the Blues Kitchen over the August Bank Holiday weekend, expect to hear his neo soul and smooth r&b vibes to be taken to new heights courtesy of a full string section.
The man, the myth, the legend returns to Band on the Wall for a night of jazz, hip-hop, soul, funk and disco floor fillers on 12 August.
Macclesfield-born DJ Mr Scruff has been a legend on the Manchester scene for decades, and as his varied collection of fans can attest his eclectic range of selections never disappoint.
Manchester Carnival returns to Alexandra Park this month for its 50th anniversary, with a host of different stages (and street parties) spreading out across Moss Side.
Grime and bass music fans won’t want to miss the Chimpo X Bloc2Bloc stage, run by a group of south Manchester locals with an enviable collection of dubplates.
Peter Hook to play Joy Division classics with a live orchestra in Manchester
Georgina Pellant
A live orchestral rendition of Joy Division’s greatest hits is coming to Manchester later this year, bringing some of the band’s best-known songs to life on stage at The O2 Apollo.
Curated by founding band member Peter Hook alongside musical director Tim Crooks and Manchester Camerata, it is the first time a founding member of the band has developed a project of this kind.
Hook has reportedly poured his ‘heart and soul’ into a carefully-constructed setlist that includes many of the trademark songs that made the band’s name across their all too short career, as well as some more unexpected tracks and surprise inclusions.
Image: Official Joy Division
Bringing together the full orchestra, members of Peter Hook & The Light and guest vocalists including Bastien Marshal and Mica Millar, the show will see over fifty musicians join together on stage for The Sound Of Joy Division Orchestrated when it returns later this year after a three-year hiatus.
Manchester Camerata Orchestra will celebrate the iconic 70s band in a live show, performing seminal classics and lesser-known tracks from Joy Division’s respected catalogue.
The live orchestral show promises to revisit the post-punk elements that shaped Joy Division’s early ground-breaking sound, working alongside Manchester Camerata’s 50-piece orchestra to reflect the spirit that defines the Manchester band’s considerable heritage.
The Sound Of Joy Division will debut in Manchester first, appearing at the O2 Apollo Manchester on Friday 14 October before going on to London to play the historic Palladium.
Last time it was performed live, the acclaimed show sold out both London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House In 2019.
Image: Yannis Hostelidis
Approaching the gigs, Peter Hook commented: “Covid has given these events strange timings, but after touring and playing Joy Division normally shall we say, I am looking forward to this new working more than ever.
“It takes Joy Division’s music to a whole different place, emotionally and aurally. It is difficult to transcribe but I love the challenge, and it brings a freshness to the whole concept.”
“After those two amazing concerts at The Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House, I did wonder how we could possibly surpass it. Playing those gigs did give me a great insight in how to improve the impact for future shows.
“The Apollo has played a huge part of my musical career, so they seemed a great fit. Both great venues for a great show!”
Musical director, Tim Crooks, added; “It’s fantastic news that we’ll be bringing this amazing show to The Palladium and The Apollo, two of my favourite ever venues.
“As musicians we’ve all missed being able to perform and as we finally return with the show, I do hope the concerts bring a great deal of pleasure for everybody there.”
To find out more and book tickets, visit the website here.
The Manc -
7th January 2022 
